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Inflight Service Committee

  • Our AFA Representatives have been successful in getting management to agree to additional onboard service reductions in light of the current spike of COVID-19 cases nationwide.
  • Any flight currently scheduled for more than one beverage service will be reduced to only one service regardless of the length of the flight.  Additional reductions include changes to the food pre-order system based depending on the length of the flight.  Changes take effect today and are scheduled to be in place through January 31, 2022.
  • As always, please continue to report any safety-related issues with onboard service using a Flight Attendant Irregularity Report (FAIR) in ReportIt!  Please report any catering issues using the catering feedback function in Block2Block.  Management needs to hear about the challenges we’re facing!

Our AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), Inflight Service Committee, and Master Executive Council (MEC) have been continually advocating for changes to onboard service that provide the safest possible environment for Flight Attendants and passengers alike.  In light of the current spike in COVID-19 cases, we had additional conversation this week with management about the ongoing issues and concerns that Flight Attendants are experiencing.  Based on these conversations, management has agreed to implement additional onboard service reductions on a temporary basis.

The following changes will go into effect immediately and remain in place through January 31, 2022:

  • Only one beverage service in the main cabin on all flights that are scheduled to receive a beverage service.
  • Picnic packs will no longer be available for pre-order but will still be sold from the retail cart.
  • Fresh meals will no longer be available for pre-order/sold on medium haul flights.  Maximum number of orders on transcon and Hawaii flights will be reduced from 63 to 42.

Even though the pre-order system will be turned off for any new orders, catering will continue to board items for any passengers who placed an order prior to today.  Please see the email from management in your Outlook inbox and today’s bulletin bundle for more information.

Please continue to report any safety hazards related to onboard service in ReportIt! as a Flight Attendant Irregularity Report (FAIR).  If you encounter any issues related to onboard products, catering supply levels, or procedural concerns, please report them through the Catering Issues function in Block2Block.  Your reports help our Inflight Service Committee and ASHSC to have the strongest voice possible in their conversations with management about onboard service.

In This Edition

  • January 2022 MEC Meeting Recap
  • Shared on Social

January 2022 MEC Meeting Recap

Originally posted January 7, 2022

Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week from Tuesday, January 4 through Thursday, January 6 to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants.  As part of the meeting, the MEC met with members of inflight, labor relations, and executive management to discuss issues and concerns that are facing our work group and need to be addressed.  The last two days of the meeting were spent interviewing candidates for the three Negotiating Committee Member positions.  The MEC selected several candidates to advance to the final interviews to be held on Wednesday, January 26.

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Our MEC started the process of interviewing candidates for our Negotiating Committee earlier today as part of the January Regular MEC Meeting. Based on the interviews, which are being held today and tomorrow, the MEC will determine which candidates will advance to a final interview on January 26th. After final interviews are conducted, the voting members of the MEC (LEC Presidents) will select candidates to fill the three Negotiating Committee Member positions who will represent us at the bargaining table when contract negotiations begin in September 2022.

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • Our AFA Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) met this week from Tuesday, January 4 through Thursday, January 6 to conduct their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants.
  • As part of the meeting, the MEC met with members of inflight, labor relations, and executive management to discuss issues and concerns that are facing our work group and need to be addressed.
  • The last two days of the meeting were spent interviewing candidates for the three Negotiating Committee Member positions.  The MEC selected several candidates to advance to the final interviews to be held on Wednesday, January 26.

The January 2022 Regular MEC Meeting was held this week from Tuesday, January 4 through Thursday, January 6.  The first day of the meeting consisted of updates provided by our MEC Officers, LEC Presidents, Grievance Committee, and Scheduling Committee.  Our MEC also reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons about their current programs of work. 

Meeting with Management

As part of most Regular MEC Meetings, our MEC meets with management to review current issues and challenges that Flight Attendants are facing.  Attendees from management this month included EVP & COO Constance von Muehlen, Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Managing Director of Inflight Strategy & Support Gloria Chow, Vice President of Labor Relations Jenny Wetzel, Managing Director of Labor Relations Carmen Williams, and other management employees from inflight, labor relations, crew administration, and payroll.

Some of the topics that were discussed include:

  • December 2021 Pacific Northwest snowstorm, the subsequent operational meltdown, and the significant impact it had on Flight Attendants.  Management needs to do better.
  • Winter holiday incentive pay and what steps management is taking to ensure that Flight Attendants will be paid correctly on January 20th.
  • Open inflight management positions and what progress the company is making to fill them.
  • COVID-19 policies and contact tracing protocols.  Flight Attendants are reporting that they are not being notified of reported exposure in a timely manner.
  • Ongoing hotel & transportation issues including reports of Flight Attendants having to transport to/from hotels alone at destinations outside of the US and Canada.
  • Recurrent Training concerns including why it took so long to notify F/As that the written exam had been removed from the CBT and returned to an in-class activity, acceptable deviations in drill commands, and how evaluations of equipment preflight are conducted.

Negotiating Committee Interviews

Wednesday and Thursday were spent interviewing candidates for the three Negotiating Committee Member positions who will represent us at the bargaining table during upcoming contract negotiations.  Our MEC would like to thank all of the candidates who expressed a willingness to serve and interviewed for the positions.  After conducting interviews and reviewing all candidates, several were selected to participate in a final interview with the MEC.  We’ll have more information to provide after the final interviews on Wednesday, January 26.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this month’s Regular MEC Meeting, please reach out to your LEC President.

NavBlue is sunsetting the old PBS bidding interface, ClassBid, after the March 5-14 bid period. Once ClassBid is retired, Flight Attendants will only have access to the new interface, WebApp, for PBS bidding.  

3 months of PBS Base Sits – February 2022-April 2022

Look for the March base sit schedule prior to February 5th, and the April base sit schedule prior to March 5th

February- Access to both ClassBid (old) and WebApp (new)

March- Access to both ClassBid (old) and WebApp (new)

April- Access to only WebApp (new)

February Base Sit Schedule:

Location SEA Inflight

  • 2/5 9am-9pm
  • 2/6 9am-5pm
  • 2/7 5am-9pm
  • 2/8 5am-9pm
  • 2/9 5am-9pm

WebApp Help:

WebApp Quick Reference Guide

WebApp Tutorial

WebApp Q&A from May-July 2021 WebApp Virtual Trainings

WebApp Program Guide

WebApp Videos

(You will need to be logged into your AAG account to access WebApp Quick Reference, WebApp Q&A, and WebApp Program Guide)

Your Default bid will not need to be re-created in WebApp it is already there, the only time your Default bid is erased is when you transfer/swap bases.

Login to Webapp through the Inflight Page>Schedule & Bidding>Line Bidding or by going directly to the site, https://asapbs.navblue.aero/webapp. Once ClassBid is retired the ClassBid (old) link on the Inflight Page will go away, and the URL will redirect to WebApp.

You can reach the PBS Committee by emailing pbs.qa@alaskaair.com.

In This Edition

  • December 2021 Pacific Northwest Snowstorm

December 2021 Pacific Northwest Snowstorm

Originally posted December 28, 2021

The snowfall that occurred over the last several days in the Pacific Northwest has caused operational havoc throughout the Alaska Airlines system.  Many Flight Attendants are being impacted by cancelled flights, reassignments, and other scheduling issues.  Your contract is one of the best resources to help answer questions about pre-cancellations, reassignments, duty times, and rest.  The AFA Scheduling Committee has also put together an updated quick reference guide with some key contractual information.  If your flying has been impacted by the snowstorm and you have contractual questions or concerns, please open a support ticket using the AFA Alaska Online Support Center.  AFA Representatives are working to resolve issues as expeditiously as possible.

Read More >

December 2021 Update

End Of Year Reminders

Complete by 23:59 Dec 31st

  • Current Uniform Allotment Expires – If you need new pieces make sure to use any allotment remaining, you’ll receive a new allotment Jan 1 thats good for 2 years
  • Annual Compliance Training (ACT) CBT  – Check Cornerstone, Discipline issued if not completed
  • Guest Passes – Exchange your travel credits for passes, no need to print them they live in your guest pass history. We recommend you convert them 1 at a time, multiple passes. Do not convert all of them into 1 pass

COVID Points Forgiveness (Positive Test)

Per the new agreement with management, Flight Attendants can once again submit for points forgiveness for COVID absences with proof of a positive test. The time limits for submitting have been suspended.  If you’ve had a previous submission denied and can provide a positive test result, please resubmit for points removal.  Performance Supervisors will be reviewing each submission individually, so please be patient while your request is reviewed.     To submit your request, visit: Alaskasworld> Inflight> Administration> Performance> COVID+/Vaccine Reaction Point Forgiveness Form

Grievance Committee Update

Recent Investigations Resulting in Discipline

  • Failure to Complete CBT on time
  • Commuter Policy Violations
  • Missing Required Items
  • Delays caused by Flight Attendants

AFA Membership Dues

Many Council 15 members are behind on their monthly AFA dues.  After 90-days,  a member can fall into Bad Standing.   Once in Bad Standing, a member’s vote is not counted nor are they permitted to attend local council meetings until they are become current or make alternate payment arrangements with AFA Membership Services.   Unpaid dues could result in termination per  Section 26 C, D,  & E of our Collective Bargaining Agreement.  

Our Local Membership Committee can provide you with balance information- but we do not have access payment or billing history.   If you have questions about your account, please reach out to AFA Membership Services.

AFA Membership Services844-232-2228Ext. 3 – Dues and Account information 
   or Online
http://afacwa.org//dues_questions

Benefits and Leaves

The Committee is receiving an unprecedented number of inquiries regarding Medical Leaves. While we are here to assist, we need everyone to be informed and aware of leave guidelines. Please be aware that there is a Leave Handbook for each type of leave. The Leave Handbooks provide step by step instruction to help you begin the process and navigate your leave. We suggest reading through the appropriate handbook prior to starting your leave in order to have familiarity with the process.  Leave Handbooks can be found on Alaskasworld> Inflight Page> Administration> Leaves

You can aslo reach outt o our AFA Benefits Chair Sonia Quackenbush click HERE.

Irregular Operations Guide

As most already know, the cold and winter weather in Portland and Seattle has caused operational challenges all around our network. We realize many of you have and will find yourselves stranded in cities you were not necessarily expecting to be in, working longer hours or changes to flying. please keep this link handy to help guide you.

Irregular Operations Quick Reference

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • The snowfall that occurred over the last several days in the Pacific Northwest has caused operational havoc throughout the Alaska Airlines system. Many Flight Attendants are being impacted by cancelled flights, reassignments, and other scheduling issues.
  • Your contract is one of the best resources to help answer questions about pre-cancellations, reassignments, duty times, and rest. The AFA Scheduling Committee has also put together an updated quick reference guide with some key contractual information.
  • If your flying has been impacted by the snowstorm and you have contractual questions or concerns, please open a support ticket using the AFA Alaska Online Support Center. AFA Representatives are working to resolve issues as expeditiously as possible.

This week’s snowstorm and continued winter weather have had a significant impact on Alaska Airlines operations in Seattle and Portland.  Hundreds of flights have either been delayed or cancelled which has had a ripple effect throughout the system leaving virtually no Flight Attendants unimpacted.  AFA Representatives are actively working to try to resolve Flight Attendant concerns that have been reported, but management’s availability has been limited as they focus on fixing the operation.

If Your Flight Cancels

  • If your flight has been cancelled, you must still report as scheduled unless contacted by Crew Scheduling or you accept a cancellation notification in Crew Access.
  • If contacted by Crew Scheduling regarding a pre-cancellation, know your options.  Review section 10.S of the contract or the pre-cancellation flowchart.
  • If you have already reported for duty and your flight cancels, you must remain at the airport until released by Crew Scheduling.  Your duty period will run continuously until released.

Difficulty Making it to the Airport

Significant Weather Ground Commuting Operations (SWGCO) have been declared for Seattle and Portland.  SWGCO provides additional ground commuter protections for Flight Attendants who may have difficulty reporting on time due to the inclement weather.  In order to receive protections under SWGCO, you must notify Crew Scheduling at least one hour prior to report that you won’t be able to report on time due to the weather.  Please review pages 3 and 4 of the full side letter of agreement for more information.

Management is also offering hotel rooms near the airport in SEA and PDX for those who are reporting for trips the following day.  Please fill out this form to request a hotel room.  They have also authorized any F/A to expense $100 for Uber/Lyft transportation to/from the airport in order to get to work.  No advance approval is required and your base management can provide assistance with reimbursement.  Questions about in-base hotels or transportation reimbursement should be directed to the Inflight Snow Ops Command Center at InflightSnowOps@alaskaair.com.  

Hotel or Transportation Issues While Flying

If you are currently flying and are having issues with hotels or ground transportation, you may be able to receive a quicker response from the Inflight Snow Ops Command Center by emailing InflightSnowOps@alaskaair.com.  Requests that go through the command center, especially ones that are not time sensitive, will free up Crew Scheduling to attend to other operational duties.  The command center is open from 08:00-20:00 Pacific time.  Outside of these hours Crew Scheduling will be your point of contact.

Pay Questions & Rainmaker

If your flying has been impacted by irregular operations, be sure to monitor Rainmaker closely to ensure that your pay is reflected accurately.  Any pay questions should be submitted directly in Rainmaker as a pay query. 

Contractual Questions, Issues, and Concerns

Your contract is your best resources to answer scheduling and pay-related questions.  You can access the contract on the AFA Alaska website or on your IMD in Goodreader > ASFASupplemental > Collective Bargaining Agreement > Contract.  The AFA Scheduling Committee has also put together an updated irregular operations quick reference guide with key contractual information that may be helpful. 

If you have a contractual concern or issue that has come up and need assistance from an AFA representative, please open a support ticket using the AFA Alaska Online Support Center.  Members of the AFA Grievance, Reserve, and Scheduling Committees are working through submitted tickets as quickly as possible, but resolution may be delayed in some cases as management’s immediate focus is on operational issues.

For additional support, please contact your Local Scheduling Committee (lineholders), Local Reserve Committee (reserves), or your LEC Officers. 

In This Edition

  • Our Contract 2022 – Latest Negotiations News
  • Winter Holiday Incentive 2021
  • Shared on Social

Our Contract 2022 – Latest Negotiations News

Winter Holiday Incentive 2021

Originally posted December 22, 2021

In response to the current operational challenges, your MEC approached management earlier this afternoon with an eleventh-hour proposal for a winter holiday incentive. After some conversation back and forth, the parties ultimately agreed to implement the following program in recognition of the unique challenges to the operation and to the Flight Attendant group due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Read More >

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Less than one week left to submit your expression of interest to serve as part of our Negotiating Committee!  Find out more about the position or submit your expression of interest and resume on the Contract 2022 website at https://contract2022.afaalaska.org/committee/afa-alaska-negotiations-update-october-29-2021/#committee.  Expressions of interest will close on Tuesday, December 28 at 5 PM Pacific time.

Winter Holiday Incentive 2021

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • Double time (2.0x) premium on all flights flown, including surface deadhead, and/or Airport Standby (APSB) that begin or end between and including 00:00 (midnight) 12/23/2021 and 23:59 1/2/2022 local time
  • Holiday reassignments pay protection (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day)

In response to the current operational challenges, your MEC approached management earlier this afternoon with an eleventh-hour proposal for a winter holiday incentive. After some conversation back and forth, the parties ultimately agreed to implement the following program in recognition of the unique challenges to the operation and to the Flight Attendant group due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Double time (2.0x) premium

Flight Attendants will be paid double time (2.0x) premium during the Winter Holiday Incentive 2021 period on all flights flown, including surface deadhead, and/or APSB. This will further increase Premium Open Time premiums, holiday pay premium, over-duty premiums, etc., by an additional one times the trip rate (1.0x) on the existing premium.

Examples:

  • 1.0x (“straight time”) –> 2.0x
  • 1.5x (e.g., Premium Open Time) –> 2.5x
  • 2.0x (e.g., holiday pay, over-duty pay, Premium Open Time) –> 3.0x

Please note the premiums under this incentive program are not pay protected—the same as all other premiums in the contract except where indicated otherwise.

Holiday reassignments pay protection (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day)

Flight Attendants who are scheduled to fly on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day will be pay protected for any reduction to holiday pay resulting from a reassignment. Flight Attendants must submit for the applicable pay protection in Rainmaker.

Example: If a Flight Attendant were scheduled to fly Seattle to Anchorage on a holiday but was instead reassigned to fly Seattle to San Francisco, the FA would normally be paid 2.0x holiday pay on the 2.0 TFP for SEA-SFO instead of on the 4.0 TFP for SEA-ANC. However, the FA will be pay protected the difference under this incentive program if the FA submits for the applicable pay protection in Rainmaker.

We sincerely hope Flight Attendants will find this program to be a meaningful incentive for helping to support the operation over the holidays and during such a challenging time. If you are not already flying and have the capacity to do so, please consider picking up additional flying at this increased premium.

In Solidarity,

Your AFA Alaska MEC – Jeff, Brian, Linda, Matt, Terry, Steve, Melissa, Tim, Brice

In This Edition

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2021

Originally posted December 13, 2021

Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on Friday, December 10 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to catering and onboard service/sales.  The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are facing onboard the aircraft.  Please continue to report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!  Management has seen a decrease in reporting in the weeks since the November 4th service expansion and believes that problems have been resolved.

Read More >

Mental Health Resolutions for the New Year

Originally posted December 16, 2021

The New Year is not just a ritual. It is the celebration of new hopes and dreams. It is an opportunity to start with a clean slate. Typically, New Year resolutions tend to focus on weight, general health and finances.   But, what might the new year offer us if we used it as an opportunity to commit to improvements in our emotional and mental well-being.  Below are seven positive mental health resolutions that you can borrow for your new year.  

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REMINDER: Expressions of interest for our Negotiating Committee positions are still open through Tuesday, December 28 at 5 PM Pacific time. Read more about the position or submit your expression of interest and resume on the Contract 2022 website at https://contract2022.afaalaska.org/committee/afa-alaska-negotiations-update-october-29-2021/#committee.

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 15 – June 2026

The JNC has been actively negotiating key sections of the contract, focusing on vacation, sick leave, and temporary duty assignments. A tentative agreement was reached on Section 37 (Temporary Duty Assignments), ensuring financial protections and fair treatment for Flight Attendants during temporary assignments. These ongoing discussions demonstrate a commitment to integrating the best benefits from both Alaska and Hawaiian CBAs for all members.

Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month

Every June, we come together to honor LGBTQ Pride Month in the United States—a time to celebrate the remarkable resilience, diversity, and achievements of the LGBTQ community. Pride Month began as a tribute to the Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan in 1969, a pivotal moment that ignited the modern LGBTQ rights movement. The inaugural Pride March, […]

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

On Wednesday, May 20, our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met virtually to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Bradley Young (SFO), Bryce Sarmiento (LAX pmAS), […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – May 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, May 26, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Rebekah Olds (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), […]

Struggling With A Coworker? Consider AFA Professional Standards.

We all know flying can be demanding—long days, irregular hours, and fatigue are part of the job. It’s natural for tensions to rise. Before you head to management or vent on social media, consider Professional Standards. In this video, Ava McWilliams-Ellington, pre-merger Alaska LAX EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairperson, shares how Professional Standards provides a confidential, […]

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